The Hierophant and Morels

The Hierophant is a card about spiritual leadership, wisdom, and tradition. It’s also the tarot card associated with the current zodiac season of Taurus. I thought I would share some thoughts because the Forager’s Daughter version includes one of my longest family traditions – morel mushrooms.

The Hierophant represents the connection between Earth and Heaven, and our physical rituals and expressions of spirituality. Often the figure in this card is Pope-like, or some other religious deacon or priest. When I was creating this card, I was thinking back to the sources of spiritual tradition in my own life. One of these was the seasonal pilgrimage to our foraging spot, what we still fondly call the Mushroom Woods. Morels were the first thing I learned to forage under the guidance of my dad.

If you know me or my work you’ll know that I find a deep source of spirit in nature. The woods are my church. Spring mushroom hunting is just one of the many rituals that have been instilled by my parents. When I think of the Hierophant, I remember the feelings of inspiration, excitement, and security that come with walking the trails, and the lessons from those excursions. Harvest sustainably, leave something behind, tread respectfully, and use your senses to be alert. I wanted this card to illustrate that this sense of spiritualism doesn’t have to be beholden to traditional dogmatic structures or writings, especially if you feel conflicted by or wary of some of those systems. Instead, try looking at the natural rhythms around you, the seasonal cycles, and the signs that come with them that show you are part of something much bigger.

And what better way to embrace Taurus season than by taking a walk in the woods, digging in the dirt, and collecting wild mushrooms and plants to spice up your dinner! Are you doing anything to align with Taurus’ earthy energy right now? I would love to hear about it in a comment below!